Google EMEA Headquarters

30,000 m2

Dublin, Ireland

- present, 2015

Google, one of the leading technology giants of the world, turned their attention to Dublin, Ireland to base their expansion into the EMEA regions. The economic collapse in Ireland, which saw property prices fall through the floor in Dublin, has played into the technology giant’s hands, helping create a lower cost of living than rival hubs such as London’s Tech City. As such, their immediate need for space in a short deadline and anticipated rapid growth sparked challenges in the engineering designs of the refurbishment and takeover of eight existing buildings.

Axiseng, in partnership with the architects, led the massive mechanical and electrical masterplan consisting of the initial 30,000m2 of office fit out across eight structures.

All buildings were designed concurrently and installed on a phased basis. The fast track nature of the project required that a Management Contractor was appointed prior to the design being completed. Axiseng and the design team worked in conjunction with the management contractor to appoint all major trades. This approach allowed elements of the site construction process to progress in conjunction with the design process.

The project also included the design and installation of all new emergency lighting across the entire Google campus. The interior designs were eclectic in nature, subsequently posing a challenge in the planning and design of the emergency lighting systems that needed to comply fully with industry codes as well as be integrated with the various interior design themes throughout the office spaces.

All buildings were completed to a high standard whilst maintaining a modest budget. This was achieved by retaining services where they were reusable, selecting products that closely matched and did not exceed the client’s requirements and detailing reviews of the construction budget as the design progressed. In a number of areas, ceilings were exposed which required all services to be coordinated not only from a technical perspective but also from an aesthetic perspective.